This is the first book I have read by Lucy and Stephen Hawking and I like it very much! I have heard of Stephen Hawking's work on black holes and string theory but I had not read the books he has written with his daughter Lucy. I am guessing Lucy wrote it mostly because her Dad is probably thinking about much more complex problems. If that is true she can write very well.

The story starts with George, a ten year old who does not know much about the universe around us. His education starts with a fancy-dress party that he is invited to. The theme is the universe and everyone has to come dressed as one of the objects that exist in the universe. For example, you could be 'dark matter', a solar system made out of hula hoops or simply the 'redshift' (in which case you keep shifting away from people coming through the door).

The party was hosted by Eric, father to George's friend Annie. Soon after George's introduction to the cosmos, he got an e-mail from Annie inviting him to come quickly to Florida. All she said was it was a cosmic mission and he must not say anything to his parents – just tell them it is a normal holiday. And with a little help from his Granny, George was on his way!

Landing in America, George found out that Eric had launched an expensive robot onto Mars from the Global Space Agency but after landing on Mars, the robot started acting up. Instead of analyzing samples from Mars, it started waving its robotic arms around and sending useless pictures. With Eric struggling to make sense of things, Annie, George and 9 year old science-whiz Emmit leap into action. Using Cosmos, a supercomputer that opened portals into space, they manage to sneak out to Mars and then go on an exciting treasure hunt around the universe.

I give this book 9/10 because it explains science through a gripping story that involves nerds, scientists, villains and kids all caught up in a whirlwind adventure. If you have the least bit interest in science you are sure to love this book!

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